The Serene-ish Podcast

In this episode, we explore what it really means to “hold space” for someone we love. Whether a friend is grieving, overwhelmed, questioning faith, or simply struggling through life, many of us want to show up well, but aren’t always sure how. We talk about the difference between listening and truly being present, why the urge to fix can get in the way, and how to stay grounded in difficult conversations.Together, we reflect on the kind of support that makes people feel genuinely seen: nonjudgmental listening, deep presence, and the willingness to sit with discomfort instead of rushing it away. This is a serene-ish conversation about relationships, compassion, and learning to walk alongside one another in more honest and human ways.As always, we offer a few simple practices you can try this week when someone comes to you needing care or support. If you’ve ever wondered how to be there for someone with kindness and empathy, this episode is for you.Join the conversation and find more at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com. The Serene-ish Podcast is a space for honest reflection, gentle guidance, and everyday soul care.

In this episode, we talk about moving through times of melancholy, apathy, and emotional fatigue. Sometimes it feels like grief, sometimes exhaustion, and sometimes just a squirrel stretched out on a fence saying, “I’m done.”We explore how to tell the difference between apathy, peace, and surrender, and what it looks like to respond with honesty instead of shame. This is a serene-ish conversation about learning to hold both the heaviness and the hope—without rushing either one away.As always, we close with a few gentle practices for noticing light again: turning down the noise, naming what you’re feeling, and paying attention to small moments of beauty and goodness. If you’ve been feeling emotionally tired or spiritually stretched thin, this episode is for you.Join the conversation and find more at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com. The Serene-ish Podcast is a space for honest reflection, gentle guidance, and everyday soul care.

In this episode, we explore what it means to experience faith and spiritual formation outside traditional church spaces. We share personal stories of encountering God in unexpected places, and why more and more people are finding themselves on the “margins” of institutional faith.We talk about what leads people there, what can be found in those in-between spaces, and how the margins can become fertile ground for deeper connection, belonging, and growth. This is a serene-ish conversation—making space for questions, freedom, and a spirituality that feels honest and alive.As always, we close with a few simple invitations for the week: noticing the sacred in everyday moments, gathering differently, and trusting that these experiences are real and meaningful.The Serene-ish Podcast is a space for honest reflection, gentle guidance, and everyday soul care. Join the conversation and find more at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com.

In this episode, we share a powerful story of land, legacy, and restoration through Inoanāiwi, a nonprofit working to return Hawaiian land to Native Hawaiian families. We reflect on the cultural and spiritual significance of land in Hawaiʻi, the impact of loss through colonization, and the hope found in restoration. We share personal stories, moments from a recent land celebration, and what this work is teaching us about grief, joy, and staying grounded in the midst of it all. This is a serene-ish conversation where we hold what’s been lost and what’s being reclaimed at the same time.Learn more about Inoanāiwi at inoanaiwi.orgJoin the conversation and find more at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com

Join us as we explore what it means to listen to your body as a source of spiritual and emotional guidance. From those subtle nudges to full-on “we’re not doing this today” moments, we reflect on how our bodies often speak wisdom we’ve been taught to ignore. We share personal stories, wrestle with what it means to trust our bodies, and talk about simple ways to stay connected to both our physical selves in everyday life. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, exhausted, or unsure how to listen inward, this episode is for you.Join the conversation and find more at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, we step into a conversation about a recent moment in public discourse: a post by Donald Trump referencing Barack Obama and Michelle Obama that many named as racially charged and deeply harmful. We explore why things like this don’t land in isolation, and why they carry particular weight for many of us. Together, we share about what gets stirred up—anger, grief, exhaustion—and why staying grounded in moments like these is both difficult and necessary. This is a serene-ish conversation: holding truth and steadiness at the same time.As always, we close with practical, nervous-system-aware practices for navigating inflammatory moments. If you’ve ever felt shaken by something others brushed off, this episode is for you.Please join us for more conversation and find additional resources at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, we’re getting real about what peace actually looks like in the midst of everyday stress. Let’s be honest, life doesn’t always look serene. We share stories from real-life moments when our inner calm got tested (yes, including the one involving a screaming goat 🐐), and what helped us come back to center.You’ll hear us talk about weighted blankets, emotion boxes, and why sometimes the quietest place to breathe might just be the bathroom. We explore how stress shows up in our bodies, minds, and spirits—and the small, simple ways we’re learning to notice, nurture, and renew peace from the inside out.If you’ve ever tried to hold on to calm while life feels loud and chaotic, this one’s for you. Come laugh, exhale, and remember that peace isn’t a perfect state—it’s a practice.Find more and join the conversation over at thesereneishpodcast.substack.com

We’re Brenda Renderos and Larissa Marks, and The Serene-ish Podcast is your space for some honest conversation about keeping our humanity in a complicated world.In our very first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on who we are, how our friendship formed, and why we started a podcast about serenity…with a very intentional -ish.We’ll share what listeners can expect from this space: honest conversations about spirituality, justice, womanhood, transitions, relationships, and the messy beauty of being human. There will be laughter, missteps, practices to try, and stories that remind us that serenity isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.If you’re longing for a grounded, gentle, and real place to breathe, grow, and laugh with two good friends…welcome! We’re so glad you’re here.For more, come find us over at Substack: thesereneishpodcast.substack.com⁠